Trust but Clarify

Dan Rather as himself

"Trust but Clarify" is the fifth episode of the twenty-eighth season of the animated television series The Simpsons, and the 601st episode of the series overall. It aired in the United States on Fox on October 23, 2016, making it the first episode to air in October the week after the annual Treehouse of Horror. The title is based on the phrase "Trust but verify", used in relation to nuclear verification. This episode was written by voice actor Harry Shearer.

Grandpa Abraham Simpson is hanging with other war veterans at a bar when "The Late Late Late Night with Jimmy Jimmy" is on with Kent Brockman as its guest star. At the show, Kent starts telling war stories such as when he crash landed a falling helicopter on a sinking container. Another war veteran at the bar however confirms that Kent's story was false. As result, Kent apologizes about all the fake stories he told on air. He is fired for it and replaced by Arnie Pye.

Meanwhile, Krusty the Clown introduces a new product: Krustaceans, a candy that even Krusty thought it was good. However, Lisa Simpson soon finds out that the candy is extremely addictive and left a tingling sensation, so she pairs up with Bart Simpson to discover why. They manage to break into one of the Krusty factories, steal samples from the product and take them to Professor Frink where they find out it contains Formaldehyde.

Homer Simpson is envious as a power plant employee that barely speaks English got a corner office, so Homer's Ambition tells him to dress better to make higher chances of getting a promotion. Homer asks Marge Simpson for help and they buy a suit for Homer. The next day, Homer goes into Mr. Burns' office giving him reasons for him to get a promotion, but he fails. Homer's Ambition is beaten by his apathy, alcoholism, anger and awe and thrown out Homer's ear, so he decides to go to Moe's Tavern.